🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jeff Wadlow
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 38min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (26K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A regular guy writes a book, and suddenly everyone thinks he’s James Bond but way less competent, leading to explosions and questionable decisions.
🍿 True Memoirs of an International Assassin: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Sam Larson
Sam Larson, played by Kevin James, is a struggling writer working on his novel, ‘Memoirs of an International Assassin.’ He dreams of creating a compelling action story but lacks real-world experience. He works a mundane day job and faces constant pressure from his boss.

The Novel Becomes Reality
Sam’s friend, Amos, shares a story about a mysterious assassin known as ‘The Ghost.’ Sam incorporates this character into his novel. However, his agent publishes the book online as nonfiction, retitling it ‘True Memoirs of an International Assassin.’

Kidnapped and Thrust into Action
The book’s success leads to Sam being kidnapped and taken to Venezuela by El Toro, a revolutionary. El Toro believes Sam is the real ‘Ghost’ and wants him to assassinate the President. Sam is thrown into a world of political intrigue and danger, forcing him to become the character he created.

Alliances and Betrayals
Sam teams up with DEA agent Rosa Bolivar. They navigate a complex web of alliances and betrayals involving corrupt cops, drug lords, and CIA agents. Sam struggles to survive while trying to maintain his innocence and find a way back home.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Sam Larson (Kevin James): An aspiring writer mistaken for an international assassin when his fictional novel is published as a true story.
- Rosa Bolivar (Zulay Henao): A tough DEA agent who partners with Sam to take down criminals and clear her name.
- El Toro (Andy Garcia): A pro-democratic revolutionary who kidnaps Sam, believing him to be the legendary assassin, The Ghost.
- Anton Masovich (Andrew Howard): A ruthless Russian heroin smuggler who is financing the President and wants to eliminate El Toro.
- Juan (Maurice Compte): El Toro’s right-hand man who initially doubts Sam’s abilities but eventually joins his side.
- Amos (Ron Rifkin): Sam’s friend and a former Mossad analyst who provides him with the story of ‘The Ghost’.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Amos: “I told you the Ghost was not to be shared. This is real life, Samuel. People could get hurt.” – Amos warns Sam of the dangers of using real-life assassin details in his fiction.
- El Toro: “I always knew you were the Ghost.” – El Toro says this just before Larson kills him, acknowledging Larson’s unexpected abilities.
- Sam Larson: “I’m really sorry. I changed the details. It was supposed to be fiction.” – Sam desperately tries to explain to Amos that his book was not meant to be true memoirs.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 True Memoirs of an International Assassin Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went in expecting a typical Kevin James movie, and while it definitely had that vibe, I actually laughed out loud a few times! The whole mistaken identity thing was hilarious, and the scenes in Venezuela were surprisingly action-packed. I especially loved the part where he’s trying to act like a badass assassin but clearly has no clue what he’s doing. It’s silly, but it’s entertaining, and sometimes that’s all you need. The dynamic with Zulay Henao was good as well, I was on the edge of my seat for some parts. It wasn’t amazing, but I’d definitely recommend it for a fun night in.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Kevin James’ comedies”
- “Viewers looking for lighthearted action-comedy”
- “People who enjoy mistaken identity plots”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Gunfights”
- “Crude Humor”
- “Drug Use”
Professional Reviews
- Variety Film + TV: “While ‘True Memoirs’ has moments of genuine amusement, the overall experience feels formulaic and predictable. Kevin James delivers his signature comedic style, but the film struggles to find a consistent tone, wavering between action and slapstick.
- Nerdly: “A fun, if not groundbreaking, action-comedy. James is surprisingly adept in the action sequences, and the supporting cast, particularly Zulay Henao, adds considerable charm. It’s a lightweight but enjoyable watch for a casual evening.
Audience Reactions
The blend of comedy and action surprised viewers who found the plot engaging and hilarious.: Most agreed that Kevin James delivered his usual comedy with extra enthusiasm.
Many found the unique shots and action sequences to be especially entertaining.: The lighthearted and fun-filled nature made it a perfect movie to chill to.
Overall Consensus: A lighthearted, action-comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, delivering enough laughs and thrills for a fun, casual watch.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot on location in the Dominican Republic, chosen for its similar landscapes to Venezuela, where the movie is set.”
- “Kevin James performed many of his own stunts, aiming for a balance between comedic clumsiness and believable action sequences.”
- “The role of El Toro was initially written for a younger actor, but Andy Garcia’s audition impressed the director so much that the character was rewritten to fit Garcia’s age and gravitas.”
- “Katie Couric appears as herself in the film, adding a layer of mockumentary-style realism to Sam’s sudden fame.”
🖥️ How to Watch True Memoirs of an International Assassin?
True Memoirs of an International Assassin is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also find purchase or rental options on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video, depending on your region. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed True Memoirs of an International Assassin, you might like these similar films:
- The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997): A similar mistaken identity plot where an ordinary man gets caught up in espionage.
- True Lies (1994): Features an ordinary man living a double life as a spy, with comedic action elements.
- Johnny English (2003): A modern spy comedy where an unqualified agent must save the day.
- Spy (2015): Action-comedy about an unlikely, regular-person spy that has to save the world.
🛒 True Memoirs of an International Assassin Related Products
- True Memoirs of an International Assassin Movie Poster: High-quality print featuring the original movie artwork. Ideal for fans and collectors.
- Assassin-Themed Action Figure Playset: Limited-edition action figures featuring characters from the movie. Perfect for collectors and fans.
- Assassin-Inspired Tactical Pen: A heavy duty and discrete self defense EDC tactical pen with multiple functions.
- The Ghost Cosplay Set: Get the full look of the Ghost with a jacket, boots, vest, and shirt all custom made.
🎧 Soundtrack
True Memoirs of an International Assassin features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, True Memoirs of an International Assassin is a fictional story about a writer who is mistaken for a real assassin after his novel is published as a non-fiction account.
Filming primarily took place in the Dominican Republic, providing the backdrop for the Venezuelan setting in the movie.
The real ‘Ghost’ is revealed to be Amos, Sam’s friend who provided him with the initial story that inspired his novel.
🔥 Bonus Content
Should I Stay or Should I go “True memoirs of an international assassin”)by “the Math Club”
Ever wondered what a ‘True Memoirs of an International Assassin’ music video would look like? This creative fan-made video uses ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ to perfectly capture the film’s conflicted protagonist, giving the movie a fresh perspective!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.